Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate
With Enlarged Prostate (BPH), the prostate gets larger. When it is enlarged, it can irritate or block the bladder. A common symptom of BPH is the need to urinate often. This can be every one to two hours, especially at night.
Other symptoms include:
Feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating
Feeling that urinating “can’t wait”
Weak urine flow
Dribbling of urine
The need to stop and start urinating several times
Trouble starting to urinate
The need to push or strain to urinate
In severe cases, you might not be able to urinate at all. This is an emergency. It must be treated right away.
Enlarged Prostate Diagnosis
The American Urological Association (AUA) developed a BPH Symptom Score Index. It asks how often urinary symptoms happen. The score rates BPH as mild to severe. Take the test and talk with your healthcare provider about your results.
Dr. Lawrence Newman, a skilled Las Vegas urologist will review your Symptom Score and take a medical history. There will be a physical exam with a digital rectal exam (DRE). You may also have:
Urinalysis (urine test)
PSA blood test to screen for prostate cancer
Urinary blood test to screen for bladder cancer
Post-void residual volume (PVR) to measure urine left in the bladder after urinating
Uroflowmetry to measure how fast urine flows
Cystoscopy to look at the urethra or bladder with a scope
Urodynamic pressure to test pressure in the bladder during urinating
Ultrasound of the prostate
You should see your health care provider if you have symptoms. See your health care provider right away if you have blood in your urine, pain or burning when you urinate, or you cannot urinate.
BPH Treatment
There are many treatments for enlarged prostate. You and your health care provider will decide together which treatment is right for you. Mild cases of BPH may need no treatment at all. In some cases, minimally invasive procedures that do not require anesthesia are good choices. And sometimes a combination of medical treatments works best.
We offer the GreenLight Laser and the new UroLift for prostate treatment, as well as cutting-edge options that are available across the entire urologic spectrum. In addition, we pay careful attention to preventive care such as our 24-hour urine collection work-up to determine how to prevent recurrent kidney stones. We also welcome your input and interaction as a participant in your treatment care decisions. For all of your Las Vegas urology related needs, contact our office today.